Bangalore, Dec 4, 2009: The Seventh Asia Pacific Conference on Algal Biotechnology is being held at the Department of Botany, Delhi University, from December 1-4, 2009. The theme of the conference is 'Algal Biotechnology in the Asia-Pacific Regions: New Challenges and Opportunities'.

The conference was inaugurated by Dr Deepak Pental, Vice Chancellor of Delhi University. In his inaugural address, Dr Deepak Pental urged scientists to reduce the technological costs by using the algal model of research. While speaking on the importance of algal biotechnology research, he said, “Algae has different roles to play in various aspects of our day to day life. Bioremediation is one of the aspects that can be utilized at a faster level among all.”

Dr Usha Rao, Chairperson of the conference welcomed the scientists and other delegates and hoped that it will serve as a good platform to exchange ideas to do more innovative work in algal biotechnology research.

Dr BD Kaushik, President of Indian Phycological Society, in his address said, “The coastal regions need to be better utilized for the algal biotechnology research.” He informed the delegates that Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has funded a project worth two crore on algal biotechnology.

Dr Wong Ching Lee, Secretary, Asia-Pacific, International Phycologicl Society, said, “The sharing of knowledge marks the major theme of the conference and good opportunity for all the phycologists to share their knowledge and research.” She emphasized on the support from all the delegates.

A large number of scientists, researchers, students, investors, entrepreneurs, companies, NGO's, consultant both from India and abroad are attending the conference.

The major topics of discussion in the conference include algal biofuels, algae and global warming, algae in bioengineering, algal biomass production, bioremediation through algae, role of algae in food, pharmaceuticals and neutraceuticals, algal aquaculture and future of algal research.

There are about 300 abstracts that have been submitted for the conference. The conference is being organized once in every three years in different Asia-Pacific regions under the auspices of Asia-Pacific Society of Applied Phycology. Previous meetings were held in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, China and the Phillippines.